I had plenty of coal face experience with the wheels of business/governance in both NSW and QLD. I could understand the seduction but wanted no part of it.
QLD was the beneficiary of a special equalisation payment, much the same as WA until it found its mojo somewhat earlier than Joh country. You can find all the details on Oz Govt sites.
Insofar as debt, well the Fed govt was so alarmed at the standout State for debt in 1984-85 with a debt of $1.2bn, they raised it in parliament. The highest debt per capita in the country.
Do you not recall Sir Ed Lyons lending ~$30m of TAB money to Rothwells?
